Non-GMO Food Guide Available

No matter where you look, genetically modified foods are getting the thumbs down from around the world.  Many European countries have actually outlawed Monsanto's products.  Finally, via Dr. Mercola, there is a food guide to how to avoid GMO foods.

The bad news...if you eat out, you are eating GMO food. 

Here's the link for the guide:
http://mercola.fileburst.com/PDF/GMObrochure.pdf

Why Do Doctors in Sweden Treat Depression with a Greek Vacation?

If you are like me, you are dreading the snow flying for one reason...the dark days that come along with winter! Since I was a small child, I can remember the absolute dread when all the leaves are off the trees, and the impending feeling of "doom and gloom" with each passing day. Little did we know how important the sun is to our overall health.

While living in Sweden in 1998 I was fascinated to learn about how doctors there treat clinical depression. Prozac was forbidden. You cannot prescribe it in Sweden. But what they did prescribe, and pay for, was a sunny vacation for 2 weeks to the Greek Isles. I could not believe it. But it was true. The Swedes understood the power of the sun to lift people out of their doom and gloom, and put a smile not only on their face, but in their brain.

Now research shows the power of Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, to change how we feel.

Dr. Mercola reports "

The connection between vitamin D and depression is not new. In 2006, scientists evaluated the effects of vitamin D on the mental health of 80 elderly patients and found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to be depressed than those who received healthy doses.

In the current study, researchers found that intake of more than 400 IU of vitamin D from food sources was associated with a 20 percent lower risk of depressive symptoms compared with intake of less than 100 IU. This was a significant benefit from a very small amount of vitamin D -- as 400 IU is far too low to benefit most people (not to mention your body is made to get vitamin D primarily from the sun, not food or supplements, as I'll explain below).

It now appears as though most adults need about 8,000 IU's of vitamin D a day in order to get their serum levels above 40 ng/ml, which is the lowest they should be. Ideally your serum levels should be between 50-70 ng/ml, and up to 100 ng/ml to treat cancer and heart disease."

With these findings, if you live in North America, you might think about getting your blood tested for the Vitamin D levels and taking action if they are low. Your entire mood might change!

What Salt is Good for You if Any?

Himalayan Salt...have you heard of it? In the discussion of "sea salt" with my trusted health guru Mario from Canada, he made me aware NOT ALL SALT IS CREATED EQUAL!

I have used Sea Salt for decades, but I didn't know there are better Sea Salts and I might not be doing my body any good with the one I had from the Mediterranean Sea in Spain.

Your body needs salt. Without salt, you cannot survive. Your body cannot adjust its own water content without it. The problem we face in modern life is our salt on the table is the wrong kind of salt; over-processed, undernourished, and containing pollutants. However, in the Himalayan's there is a salt source that is over 250 million years old, without modern day contaminants and with all of the natural minerals that enhance the salt and feed our bodies.

I cannot re-write Dr. Mercola's entire educational pitch on Himalayan Salt, but I have quoted his top ten reasons to use it. Also, at the bottom, you can listen to his interview with a German nutritionist who has become an expert in the area of salts and minerals.

Here is what Dr. Mercola says about Himilayan Sea Salt:

Containing all of the 84 elements found in your body, the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt include:

1. Regulating the water content throughout your body.
2. Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells.
3. Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
4. Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
5. Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
6. Supporting respiratory health.
7. Promoting sinus health.
8. Prevention of muscle cramps.
9. Promoting bone strength.
10. Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep.
11. Supporting your libido.
12. Promoting vascular health.
13. In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure.

Check out more about Himalayan Salt on his site: http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/

Have a healthy Sunday!

Dianna

Dr. Mercola's view on health

If you want to see a really good, unbiased view of vitamins and minerals from a doctor's perspective, check out Dr. Mercola on the web. Today his newsletter talks about the risk of too much selenium in the diet, and its relationship to diabetes. What I like about Dr. Mercola's site is that his research is based on the facts, and he obviously spends a lot of time researching as his articles are filled with data...not just opinions. (As an engineer, I'm always hungry for the data...show me the numbers!)

Please note that I do not get any sort of financial or other kickbacks from any of the people whom I talk about. I'm simply a person who does a lot of research on my own, and I like to share what I find with others who are in search of better, higher quality lifestyle.

Cheers (as my good Canadian friend Mario always says!)
Dianna